Description
This rich and creamy potato soup is the ultimate comfort food, made with tender potatoes, savory seasonings, and a velvety smooth texture. Perfect for chilly nights, this easy one-pot recipe is simple to prepare and can be customized with your favorite toppings like cheese, bacon, and green onions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth of flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or parsley
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for garnish)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional, for garnish)
- Chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes – Peel and dice the potatoes into small cubes for faster cooking.
- Sauté Aromatics – In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened (about 3-4 minutes). Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the Base – Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and stir well to create a roux. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids & Simmer – Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and stir to combine. Add the diced potatoes, salt, pepper, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Blend for Creaminess – Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, leaving some potato chunks for texture. Alternatively, transfer half of the soup to a blender, blend until smooth, and return it to the pot.
- Finish the Soup – Stir in the milk or heavy cream and sour cream (if using). Adjust seasoning as needed. Simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve & Garnish – Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped green onions for added flavor.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, increase the amount of flour or use a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water).
- For a lighter version, use low-fat milk and skip the sour cream.
- Make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth and skipping the bacon.
- Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of milk if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 35mg